Filly Lands Don’t Argue Win in the Wet

Little known filly Arguable will be set for the Townsville Guineas after a shock win on a rain drenched track at Cluden Park on Thursday.

Arguable slogged her way to victory at 40-1 in the second race, the Mitavite QTIS 3/4YO Hcp (1400m), on a Heavy 9 surface before torrential rain set in and the rest of the meeting was abandoned.

The win, with jockey Nathan Thomas in the saddle, continued a purple patch of form for young trainer Megan Purvis, who bought Arguable online for $5500.

Thursday’s win, at just her second Townsville start was worth $25,500, including bonuses, to the filly’s new owners.

“I thought she was a fair chance today but I couldn’t believe she was 40-1 when they went on to the track. I don’t bet on mine, I think it’s bad juju, but some of her other owners would have been on,” Purvis said.

“There’s a couple in South Australia and Victoria. My phone’s been ringing for the past half hour.

“In her first start for me she flew down the outside and ran third in what I thought was a very strong race for her.

“The QTIS money is so good and it’s there for a reason so we had to have a go.

“The only thing I said to Nathan is that you’ll be a little closer to them today being 1400m and let her show that good turn of foot in the straight.

“The first winner sort of hit the line in the middle so I said to do the same.

“She’s easy to train or do anything with and she’s strong. I’m aiming at the Guineas over the mile with her during the winter carnival.

”We had her mother, Secret Sake and sold her in a broodmare sale in foal to Dubious. That foal turned out to be Arguable. 

“I’ve followed her from the day she was named. She’d won one race at the Gold Coast and when she came up for sale in the Inglis on-line sale, although I was a bit iffy, I thought I’d make a bid.

“She was a pretty cheap buy at $5500, especially after today’s win.”

Purvis has enjoyed a career best run this season with seven wins from just 30 runners.

She gives credit to her good galloper Strathcona for laying the basis of her strong run of form through the summer.

Strathcona has won four of his past six starts and has been the big improver in the local racing ranks.

“I’ve had a few offers to take horses but I don’t plan to go any bigger than five,” Purvis said.

“Initially I was just going to have Strathcona and ride some work, thinking it might be a bit hard with my job (school support officer).

“But Strathcona started winning and we bought a few more and it’s slowly expanded.

“I try not to take it for granted when I win. I do this because I love it and I’m not one to go around boasting about them. 

“I’ve got a nice little team and they’re happy and racing well.

“I don’t overwork them. Once they’re fit I’m sort of backing off them and just ticking them over.

“I have a bit of an athletics background and I always think well if I’m an athlete, I don’t need to bust myself especially in the heat – just save it for race day.”

The only other race run on the day was the Hygain QTIS 2YO Mdn Plate (1200m) which was won impressively by the Clinton Taylor-trained Ten Pins, ridden by Justin Stanley.